Armed police have been seen escorting a van believed to be carrying the inmate who killed paedophile Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins as it left HMP Wakefield. The van was observed leaving the West Yorkshire Category A prison, known as 'Monster Mansion', under police guard on Saturday evening.
Watkins, 48, was serving a 29-year sentence for a string of child sex offences, including the attempted rape of a fan's baby daughter. He was killed on Saturday morning after reportedly having his throat slashed when prisoners were released from their cells. Emergency services attended but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two men, aged 25 and 43, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody. A West Yorkshire Police spokesman confirmed a murder investigation has been launched, with detectives from the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team leading inquiries.
Watkins's ex-girlfriend, Joanne Mjadzelics, who helped expose his crimes, said she was relieved by his death. She told the Daily Mail: 'I was always waiting for this phone call. He was walking around with a target on his back from the first day he entered the prison. This is a relief.'
Watkins is one of the highest-profile prisoners to be killed in a British prison. A Prison Service spokesperson acknowledged the incident at HMP Wakefield, which took place on Saturday morning.
